Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
"The best thing to know when it comes to females is that there are no rules." He puffs up, his expression turning proud. "My Elly is the best thing that has happened to me, but I still get things wrong even when I try to make her happy. We think differently, but I value her thoughts because it allows me to see a different perspective."
"But I don't know what that other perspective is because it keeps changing," I grit out. "One day April is happy with me and the next she is disappointed."
He tilts his head, regarding me. "What did you do?"
"Why do you assume it was me who did something?"
Bek's expression turns knowledgeable. "When females get mad, it is usually over something we did that hurt their feelings. They will not tell us because to them it is obvious, and our lack of awareness just hurts their feelings more."
Angry over feelings? "Bah, it is not that. April is tough. Her feelings are not in play."
His expression turns pitying. "If you say so."
This just irritates me more. I know April better than anyone. She talks a lot. She would surely tell me if something I did bothered her. She has certainly never held back her opinions before. How many times has she told me she doesn't want to look at me? That I annoy her?
Even so, those retorts felt like...affection rather than irritation. Like playfulness. I want that playfulness back. Bek continues walking, and though my ankle throbs a protest, I keep pace at his side. "Have you made your mate angry in the past?"
He laughs. "Many, many times. She has thrown things at me, too, when the words did not sufficiently describe her anger."
His mate? I picture the fragile, quiet human always paired with Bek. I cannot imagine her standing up to him, much less throwing things at him in a rage. "What rules did you break?"
"This is where you are confused," Bek says. "When it comes to making your mate happy, there are no rules."
This is even more maddening to hear. "Rules govern everything."
"Your mate is your mate. She is going to think differently than others. She might want different things than others. It is up to you to find out what she wants and provide it for her."
Could this be the least helpful conversation I've had yet? Possibly. "She won't tell me what's wrong, but I am supposed to somehow decipher what bothers her and fix it?"
"Precisely." Bek seems amused at my confusion.
I shake my head. If he doesn't know the answer to my question, he should just say so. He is saying a lot of words but none of them mean anything. Still, it does feel good to talk to another who is confessing that he has no clue what his mate wants most of the time. It makes me feel less...alone in the situation. Perhaps all females are difficult to understand at times and that is what he's trying to tell me.
We pass by the main fire, and as always, there are several people clustered around it. The smell of stew hangs in the air along with the varied scents of the tribe. As we walk past, April stands up, her eyes wide as she stares at me. Makana is in her arms, and she is clustered with females stitching in leather. She looks shocked to see me out and about with Bek, her expression incredulous.
Is this not what she wanted? For me to make friends? Why is she filled with such disbelief?
Her incredulousness changes to an expression of vague hurt, and once again, I wonder what I did wrong. How do I keep messing this up?
"Everyone! Listen everyone! It's happening again!" Devi rushes into the camp, pointing excitedly at the shore. "One of the nautili is beaching itself! Cephalo-pocalpyse is here!"
"Ugh, here we go again," Liz says, her hands on her hips. "Show us."
"Oh, it's impossible to miss," Devi cries out, euphoric. Her face is bright with enthusiasm, and she races back down the beach again, waving the others after her. "Come on!"
Everyone scatters, trailing after Devi. Bek walks away and I linger by the fire, watching April to see if she is going to join the others or come and talk to me instead. She hefts Makana higher and approaches me with slow steps, expression uncertain. "I thought you weren't feeling well enough to go out?"
I arch a brow at her. "I thought you wanted me to make friends?"
"Is that what you were doing?"
"More or less." Probably less. I'm not sure if Bek would consider us friends at this point. It's the longest conversation I've had with any male other than Corvak, so perhaps that counts. "Why? Do you not like Bek?"
"I like everyone. I'm just a little confused that we had a conversation and you shut me down, and then five minutes later, you're doing exactly what I said."